I deem it of the utmost importance to drive Longstreets out immediately so as to furlough the balance of our veterans and to
prepare for a Spring Campaign of our own chosing instead of permitting the enemy to dictate it for us—Thomas is ordered to start
ten thousand men besides the remainder of Grangers Corps at once
—he will take no artillery but will take his artillery horses and
three mules to one hundred men He will probably start next
Monday.
1

On Feb. 10, 1864, Maj. Gen. John M. Schofield had telegraphed to USG.
"I am compelled to send about four thousand mules to Kentucky to be recruited.
They will soon starve to death if kept here. This Army is almost destitute of serviceable mules, and Artillery horses, and it would be impossible to support them
here if we had them. No movement of this Army can be made within the next
six or eight weeks except by Infantry alone and carrying their provisions. The
Artillery cannot move until supplied with fresh horses and forage. Longstreets
Army is in much the same condition as this. I have no fears for the safety of our
present position in East Tennessee, and unless there are reasons for a speedy advance which I do not now understand, I think it would be unwise to attempt one
for the present. If however it is deemed necessary to drive Longstreet out of East
Tennessee now I believe it is possible to do it with ten thousand more Infantry
than I now have. But it will have to be done slowly so that the rail-road can be
used to supply the troops. Please inform me what you desire me to do under the
circumstances I have stated." Copies, DLC-John M. Schofield; DNA, RG 393,
Military Div. of the Miss., Telegrams Received. O. R., I, xxxii, part 2, 359.

On Feb. 13, Schofield telegraphed to USG. "Your despatch of the 11th is
received. I will make all possible preparations and as rapidly as possible Can

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